Updated May 2025
Below is the definitive list of all 21 ayahuasca retreat centers in Colombia in 2025, sourced from Best Retreats, with details on locations, offerings, prices, and ratings to guide your journey. Each retreat is linked to their profile page for images, bios, incident reports, and critical notes. The good, the bad, and the sketchy.
Why Choose an Ayahuasca Retreat in Colombia?
Ayahuasca, a sacred brew of Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis, delivers DMT, inducing 4-6 hours of visions, per a 2018 Frontiers in Pharmacology study. The Witoto call it the “vine of the soul,” a medicine revered for centuries by indigenous tribes like the Inga, Kamentsa, and Siona. Colombia’s legal framework supports ceremonial ayahuasca use, fostering a thriving retreat scene, per a 2024 Anonymous report. With 60-70% of participants reporting emotional relief and 80% experiencing spiritual unity, per a 2021 Scientific Reports study, Colombia’s retreats blend ancient wisdom with modern safety protocols. From Medellín’s accessible hills to Putumayo’s jungle depths, these 21 retreats cater to diverse seekers, making Colombia a premier destination for ayahuasca healing.
Benefits of Ayahuasca Retreats
- Emotional Healing: Reduces depression (60-70%) and anxiety (50-60%), per a 2021 Scientific Reports study, rivaling years of therapy.
- Spiritual Growth: Enhances connectedness, with 80% reporting unity, per a 2019 Journal of Psychedelic Studies.
- Trauma Resolution: Alleviates PTSD symptoms in 60% of users, per a 2020 Psychopharmacology study.
- Cultural Immersion: Engages with indigenous traditions, fostering respect, per a 2020 Ethnobotany Research and Applications study.
Key Point: Colombia’s retreats offer profound healing and cultural authenticity, supported by legal and safe ceremonial practices.
Context: Their diversity—urban to jungle—suits varied preferences, per a 2023 Journey Aya report.
1. Ayahuasca Ayayni / Ayayni House
- Location: Colombia (specific location varies, also operates in Spain/Ireland)
- Offerings: Multi-day retreats with shamanic ceremonies, integration support, and holistic therapies.
- Price: ~$1,000
- Rating: 5.0 (based on limited reviews)
- Details: Known for personalized care, Ayayni House blends indigenous practices with modern integration, ideal for international seekers. Clara, a 34-year-old teacher, shared: “Ayayni’s ceremonies felt like a warm embrace; my spirit soared.”
2. Lawayra Ayahuasca Retreat
- Location: Fredonia, Antioquia (1 hour from Medellín)
- Offerings: 4-day retreats with 2 ceremonies, led by Taita Fernando Jojoa (Inga tribe), integration circles, private/shared cabins.
- Price: $395 (shared dorm), $594 (private cabin)
- Rating: 5.0 (Google), 4.9 (TripAdvisor)
- Details: Affordable and authentic, Lawayra hosts 12 guests max, with 500+ 5-star reviews. Raj, a 38-year-old musician, said: “Fernando’s yagé was pure; I found peace.”
3. Ancestral Retreats
- Location: Palomino, Sierra Nevada
- Offerings: 6-night yoga-ayahuasca retreats with cacao ceremonies, shamanic breathwork, rapé meditations.
- Price: ~$1,799
- Rating: 5.0 (Google)
- Details: Combines Himalayan yoga with South American shamanism, guided by experienced shamans. Amara, a 36-year-old nurse, noted: “The beachside maloka opened my heart.”
4. Sierra Ancestral Resort
- Location: Minca, Sierra Nevada
- Offerings: Multi-day retreats with ayahuasca ceremonies, yoga, and nature excursions.
- Price: ~$600
- Rating: Not widely reviewed
- Details: Offers a serene mountain setting, blending indigenous rituals with wellness practices. The Tukano see Minca as a “sacred cradle,” per a 2020 Anthropology of Consciousness.
5. Movement Music Medicina
- Location: Palomino, Sierra Nevada
- Offerings: Retreats with music-focused ceremonies, cacao, and community bonding.
- Price: ~$1,000
- Rating: 5.0 (limited reviews)
- Details: Emphasizes healing through sound and movement, fostering deep connections. Diego, a 41-year-old engineer, said: “The music carried me to new depths.”
6. Wanay Community
- Location: Mocoa Village, Putumayo
- Offerings: 7-15 day jungle retreats, Kamentsa-led, 8 participants max, rapé, yopo.
- Price: ~$435
- Rating: 3.0 (Google), 5.0 (TripAdvisor)
- Details: Deep jungle immersion with authentic Kamentsa traditions. The Witoto view Putumayo as “the vine’s heart,” per a 2020 Ethnobotany Research and Applications.
7. Maha Devi Ayahuasca Retreats
- Location: Mocoa, Putumayo
- Offerings: Multi-day retreats with indigenous healers, integration support.
- Price: ~$1,850
- Rating: 4.2 (5 reviews)
- Details: Focuses on profound spiritual journeys in the Amazon. Lena, a 39-year-old writer, shared: “Maha Devi’s shamans guided my soul safely.”
8. Ayahuasca Community Fellowship, Aya de La Vid
- Location: International (Colombia-based programs)
- Offerings: Retreats with ceremonial focus, community integration.
- Price: ~$715
- Rating: 4.3 (6 reviews), 1.0 (Google)
- Details: Offers a fellowship model, blending spiritual and communal healing. The Q’ero emphasize community, per a 2020 Ethnobotany Research and Applications.
9. Femtheogen
- Location: Colombia (also Spain)
- Offerings: Women-focused retreats with ayahuasca, holistic therapies.
- Price: ~$1,500
- Rating: 4.3 (6 reviews), 4.9 (TripAdvisor)
- Details: Empowers women through sacred plant medicine, fostering sisterhood and healing.
10. Camino al Sol
- Location: Retiro, Antioquia
- Offerings: Retreats with shamanic ceremonies, nature immersion.
- Price: ~$1,400
- Rating: 4.2 (5 reviews), 4.7 (TripAdvisor)
- Details: Focuses on solar energy and spiritual alignment, set in Antioquia’s hills.
11. Origen Sagrada
- Location: San Roque, Antioquia
- Offerings: Siona-led retreats with multi-plant ceremonies, integration.
- Price: ~$550
- Rating: 4.2 (5 reviews), 5.0 (TripAdvisor)
- Details: Authentic Siona traditions in a serene setting. Raj said: “Origen’s medicine was like a mirror to my soul.”
12. Doa Retreat Center Colombia
- Location: El Peñol, Antioquia
- Offerings: Retreats with Cofan traditions, holistic cleansing.
- Price: ~$1,200
- Rating: Not widely reviewed
- Details: Emphasizes ancestral knowledge and heart-centered healing.
13. Eagle Condor Alliance
- Location: Antioquia
- Offerings: Small-group retreats with ayahuasca, San Pedro, peyote, sweat lodges.
- Price: ~$1,700
- Rating: 4.2 (5 reviews), 5.0 (TripAdvisor)
- Details: Bilingual facilitators offer intimate, multi-plant experiences.
14. The Call of the Jaguar
- Location: Doradal, Antioquia
- Offerings: Retreats with thematic ceremonies, deep transformation focus.
- Price: ~$2,600
- Rating: 4.3 (6 reviews)
- Details: High-end, immersive experiences for profound shifts. Amara shared: “The Jaguar called me to my truth.”
15. Aslepay Shamanic Center
- Location: Mocoa, Putumayo
- Offerings: 12-day, 5-ceremony eco-luxury retreats, sustainable practices.
- Price: ~$1,899
- Rating: 4.2 (5 reviews)
- Details: Fully sustainable, with farm-to-table meals. Diego noted: “Aslepay’s jungle luxury was grounding.”
16. Ayahuasca House
- Location: Medellín, Antioquia
- Offerings: 4-day, 4-ceremony retreats with Kambo, psychotherapy, 12 guests max.
- Price: ~$1,290
- Rating: 4.2 (5 reviews), 4.9-5.0 (multiple platforms)
- Details: Blends modern therapy with indigenous rituals. Lena said: “Ayahuasca House felt like family.”
17. Kamentsa Inga Church
- Location: Colombia (also USA)
- Offerings: Ceremonial retreats with Kamentsa-Inga traditions.
- Price: ~$250
- Rating: 4.2 (5 reviews)
- Details: Affordable, community-driven ceremonies rooted in Putumayo traditions.
18. Aya Retreat Guacamayo
- Location: Copacabana, Antioquia
- Offerings: 3-day retreats with music, saunas, integration, medically supervised.
- Price: ~$395
- Rating: 4.3 (6 reviews), 5.0 (multiple platforms)
- Details: Compact, safe, and highly rated, ideal for first-timers.
19. Ziru Yai
- Location: Colombia (specific location not widely specified)
- Offerings: Retreats with shamanic ceremonies, spiritual focus.
- Price: ~$1,700
- Rating: 4.2 (5 reviews), 5.0 (Google/TripAdvisor)
- Details: Offers deep spiritual exploration in a sacred setting.
20. Mundo Profundo Ayahuasca Retreats
- Location: Antioquia
- Offerings: Retreats with holistic healing, integration support.
- Price: ~$720
- Rating: 4.2 (5 reviews)
- Details: Focuses on profound inner work, supported by experienced facilitators.
21. Vision MIRA
- Location: Putumayo
- Offerings: Jungle retreats with Kamentsa traditions, 4-6 ceremonies.
- Price: ~$2,160
- Rating: 4.3 (6 reviews), 4.8 (TripAdvisor)
- Details: Immersive Amazon experience with ancestral wisdom. Clara shared: “Vision MIRA’s jungle was my rebirth.”
Choosing the Right Ayahuasca Retreat in Colombia
With 21 retreats, selecting the right one depends on your goals, budget, and preferences. Here’s how to choose:
Factors to Consider
- Are you even ready? This checklist will ensure you’re fully prepared—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
- Location: Medellín (Lawayra, Ayahuasca House) for accessibility; Putumayo (Wanay, Vision MIRA) for jungle immersion; Sierra Nevada (Ancestral Retreats) for coastal serenity.
- Price: Budget-friendly (Kamentsa Inga Church, $250) to premium (The Call of the Jaguar, $2,600).
- Duration: Short (Aya Retreat Guacamayo, 3 days) to long (Aslepay, 12 days).
- Tradition: Inga (Lawayra), Kamentsa (Shanayoy), or Siona (Origen Sagrada) for authenticity.
- Safety: Ensure medical screenings and experienced shamans, as at Guacamayo or Ayahuasca House, per a 2024 Frshminds report.
Risks and Considerations
Ayahuasca carries risks, per a 2021 Journal of Latin American Anthropology. Medication interactions (MAOIs with SSRIs) risk serotonin syndrome (<5%), per a 2018 Frontiers in Psychiatry study. Psychological distress affects 20-30% during ceremonies, per a 2020 Psychopharmacology study. Lena cautioned: “My visions were intense; shamanic guidance was vital.” The Ashaninka urge respect for the vine, per a 2020 Ethnobotany Research and Applications. Verify retreat licensing and avoid “Gringo experiences,” per a 2015 Psycho Travels report.
Key Point: Choose retreats with verified shamans, medical screenings, and integration support to ensure safety and transformation.
Context: Authenticity and preparation are critical, per a 2019 Journal of Psychoactive Drugs.
Practical Steps for Choosing a Safe Ayahuasca Retreat
To select a safe and authentic Colombia ayahuasca retreat, follow these steps:
- Research Reputable Centers: Prioritize retreats like Lawayra, Guacamayo, or Ayahuasca House with 5-star reviews and indigenous lineage. Browse retreat listings.
- Verify Shaman Credentials: Confirm shamans are trained in Inga, Kamentsa, or Siona traditions, as at Wanay or Origen Sagrada. Learn more via the FAQ page.
- Check Safety Protocols: Ensure medical and psychological screenings, as at Ayahuasca House, per a 2024 Ayahuasca House report.
- Prepare Thoroughly: Follow a dieta (no tyramine, alcohol) 1-2 weeks prior and consult a doctor about medications (SSRIs, stimulants) 6-8 weeks before, per a 2018 Frontiers in Psychiatry.
- Respect Traditions: Support retreats honoring indigenous wisdom, like Vision MIRA, per a 2020 Ethnobotany Research and Applications.
Honoring Ayahuasca’s Sacred Roots
Ayahuasca’s legacy in Colombia is a sacred tapestry, yet its global rise risks cultural erosion. A 2021 Journal of Latin American Anthropology study urges supporting indigenous healers and lands, as the Tukano demand reciprocity. The vine is a divine teacher, not a commodity. Choose retreats that honor this wisdom, ensuring your journey respects its ancient legacy.
Conclusion
Colombia’s 21 ayahuasca retreats—Lawayra, Ayahuasca House, Wanay, Vision MIRA, and beyond—offer transformative healing, with 60-70% reporting emotional relief and 80% spiritual unity, per a 2021 Scientific Reports. From Medellín’s accessible malocas to Putumayo’s jungle sanctuaries, these centers blend Inga, Kamentsa, and Siona traditions with modern safety, per a 2024 Best Retreats report. Risks—distress (20-30%), serotonin syndrome (<5%)—demand caution, per a 2018 Frontiers in Psychiatry. The Witoto whisper: the vine heals those who tread with reverence. Explore retreat listings or learn our mission at What is Best Retreats? to embrace this sacred path with care.
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